Senin, 06 Oktober 2008

-Looks like: Chrysler’s take on the Toyota Prius -Defining characteristics: Dual vertical skylights-Ridiculous features: Retractable mousepad to control functions-Chance of being mass-produced: Zippo, until electric power is commonplace

We don’t like to be totally down on a concept car — they’re supposed to be flights of fancy. But Chrysler begins its press release about the ecoVoyager — and two other electric concepts, the Dodge ZEO and Jeep Renegade — by saying that all car companies have access to the same technology. Meaning that even though Chrysler hasn’t confirmed that it’s developing the electric and gasoline-electric hybrid technology it says will power these concepts, that doesn’t mean it can’t show off the concept. GM, Ford and Toyota have either shown working prototypes or will begin testing them soon.

That disclaimer out of the way, we can talk about the Chrysler ecoVoyager. Its futuristic look and slight resemblance to the Toyota Prius are supposed to evoke feelings of environmental friendliness, and at that it succeeds. The bulbous shape should be aerodynamic, and its small size should help keep weight down. Those are two characteristics necessary in ultra-efficient cars.

A small electric motor powers the four wheels. Most similar systems we’ve seen haven’t mentioned such lofty equivalent horsepower numbers, so this concept’s claimed 268 hp sounds quite lofty. The motor alone should go 40 miles on a full electric charge. If it doesn’t, something Chrysler calls a range extender will kick in to recharge the batteries. The ecoVoyager’s range extender is a hydrogen fuel cell that will allow for a 300-mile range. All of this sounds very similar to what GM said when it rolled out the Chevy Volt at last year’s Detroit auto show.

The ecoVoyager is a nifty design, but we’re not sure car buyers will be willing to wait for Chrysler to catch up to the competition simply for design’s sake. There are a lot of photos below, so if the look thrills you — or not — let us know.

The struggling automaker's announcement comes shortly before California enacts a law that requires hands-free cellphone use while driving.

Have you ever thought rush hour on the 405 Freeway might be more bearable if you could check your e-mail, shop for a book on Amazon, place some bids on EBay and maybe even, if nobody is looking, download a little porn?

Then perhaps you should be driving a Chrysler.The nation's third-largest automaker is set to announce Thursday that it's making wireless Internet an option on all its 2009 models. The mobile hotspot, called UConnect Web, would be the first such technology from any automaker.

Struggling Chrysler is hoping that providing motorists access to the information superhighway will set it apart from competitors and help reverse a dismal year; through May, sales are down 19.3% compared with 2007, the worst drop-off in the industry.

"It's a notion of always wanting to be connected wherever you are," said Scott Slagle, Chrysler's senior manager of global marketing strategy, who has been testing the technology since last week, allowing his daughters to surf the Web from the back seat. "There's a demand for that."

Coincidentally, Wi-Fi on wheels is being unveiled just days before new hands-free legislation goes into effect July 1 in California and Washington state. Those laws, designed to reduce accidents caused by driver distraction, prohibit talking on a cellular phone without a headset or other hands-free device.

Perhaps not surprisingly, safety advocates were less than overwhelmed by Chrysler's innovation.

"Surfing the Web is something people really don't have any business doing while they drive," said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Assn. "It's definitely a distraction."

His and other safety groups say the only way to drive safely is without using any electronic devices, headset or no.

Chrysler says that when the car is in motion, the service is intended to be used only by passengers. The privately held company acknowledges, however, that there is no way to prevent a driver from steering with one hand and Web surfing with the other.

"We're relying on the responsibility of the consumer to follow appropriate legislation," said Keefe Leung, Chrysler's engineer for the product.

In that case, Californians tempted to Google and drive can breathe a big sigh of relief: The new laws don't proscribe use of computers or the Web, except for drivers under 18 years old. There is a different law on the books preventing the use of television screens or video screens farther forward than the rear of the front seats, but it's unclear whether that measure applies to computers browsing the Internet.

State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the California laws, is trying to clarify that situation. He's introduced legislation prohibiting drivers from using any "mobile service device" (including computers) or text-messaging while driving.

"It's great to see technology advance," Simitian said. "But this raises a lot of concerns."

In Chrysler's defense, it's not the first company to offer Internet access in cars. Avis Rent A Car introduced Avis Connect in January 2007. Like UConnect Web, Avis Connect (which costs $10.95 a day) operates on the 3G network using a cellular-based signal.

The device used by Avis is also available through its manufacturer, Autonet Mobile, for $595 plus a $39 monthly subscription rate. Users get download speeds of 600 megabits to 800 megabits per second.

Avis spokesman John Barrows said the device, which is portable, is fairly popular but not in as much demand as GPS units.

"We emphasize that this is not for use by the driver while operating the vehicle," Barrows said.

Chrysler will formally roll out the technology Thursday at an event in Detroit spotlighting its 2009 lineup, which will appear in showrooms in September. The automaker did not disclose pricing, but said there would probably be a base charge for the option, plus a monthly or annual fee.

UConnect Web is an extension of the company's UConnect system, which provides Bluetooth connectivity for cellphones and MP3 player integration with the car stereo. Rival Ford provides similar services, but without Web access, in its popular Sync system.

With the added Internet connectivity, drivers and passengers will be able to get such devices as laptop computers and Nintendo Wii consoles online. As to what users can download while in the car, Chrysler's Leung said anything was fair game.